Tale as Bold as Pride! Globe and Pride@Tech rewrite classic stories to honor LGBTQ+ representation

Imagine your beloved stories from literature and lore in a new, more colorful light.

Globe and Pride@Tech are launching its latest initiative RETOLD WITH PRIDE, which flips the script on iconic stories we all grew up with by giving better representation to the LGBTQ+ community.

From world-famous classics to local mythical tales, the riveting collection features stories familiar to most but reimagined to reflect the rainbow experience.

Created by Propel Manila, in collaboration with Meta, Elesi Studios, Kerplunk Studios, M&P Creatives, Retold With Pride features “Pride and No Prejudice,” “Dragula,” “The Gay Gatsby,” “Life of Bi,” “Little Women Loving Women,” and local classics “Ibong Adana,” “Florante at Awra,” and “Si Malakas at Si Makisig,” all retold to show day-to-day realities of the LGBTQ+ community. The rainbow retelling highlights the universal appeal of great masterpieces, touching on real life themes of love, sex, dating, coming out, and acceptance, which everyone can relate to.

Set to launch on November 15, RETOLD WITH PRIDE is available on Spotify as audiobooks. You may also watch the stories come to life on Pride@Tech’s Instagram page as video books.

The initiative aims to benefit the Home for the Golden Gays, an organization that provides support and care facilities for elderly LGBTQ+ members.

“As storytellers and creators, it’s important our work promotes equality, inclusivity, and diversity. To create work that really represents all, because representation matters. Representation creates perception. Perception shapes culture, and ultimately, shapes our reality. And we know how powerful stories can be,” said Propel Manila Chief Creative, Raymund Sison.

“Our mission at Propel Manila is to always look for ways to create ideas that matter and we’re honored to tell these stories with such great icons,” adds Sison.

For Propel Manila Chief Executive JC Valenzuela, RETOLD WITH PRIDE fills the gap that those in the LGBTQ+ community grapple with in their childhood, the lack of representation in popular literature.

“The truth is most of us grew up with little or close-to-none references and representation to how we identify with. We wanted to change this and we wanted to make our stories known. We were so honored with the reception last Pride Month and we’ve worked real hard to continue these stories after Pride!” Valenzuela said.

Globe Head of Communication Integration and Brand Governance Veca Keeler said Globe immediately wanted to support the initiative as part of the company’s advocacy for equality, diversity and inclusivity.

“When we first learned about this idea, we knew we wanted to be a part of it,” said Keeler.

She cited Globe’s pioneering effort to recognize qualified dependents of same-sex couples among its employees.

“This year, we began recognizing the qualified dependents of same-sex legal couples in our employee base. We are proud to say that we are the first Filipino company to extend similar benefits to dependents of its employees who come from the LGBTQ+ community. Our current brand line, Atin Ang Mundo, is a celebration of stories of people who are proud of who they are and who embrace every opportunity to move their lives forward through the use of technology. We are thrilled with the RETOLD WITH PRIDE stories we’re launching with Pride@Tech. Atin Ang Love For All, Atin Ang Mundo,” Keeler said.

RETOLD WITH PRIDE is brought to you by Globe, and Pride@Tech, a non-profit organization that aims to create safe spaces and representation for the LGBTQ+ community.

The stories were penned by Yenee Galicia, Austin Tan, Eunice Maximo, and Duane Pascua, and illustrated by Hayami Kudo, Nichole Sanchez, Marsh Mitra, Gab Pescadero, Brent Guzman, Arnel Villanueva, Roxette Gagal, Yuko Maki, and Third Lorenzo.

Globe supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9 which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.